.delta.-(S-methylisothioureido)-L-norvaline therapeutic for cerebrovascular diseases having nitric oxide synthase inhibiting factor

Abstract

Compound represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as well as therapeutics for cerebrovascular diseases containing such compounds or salts as an active ingredient. The compounds are capable of selective inhibition of nitric oxide synthase in neurons and, hence, are useful as the active ingredient of therapeutics for cerebrovascular diseases.

Claims

1. A method of treating a subject having cerebral edema, or of prophylaxis of cerebral edema in a subject diagnosed as being at risk therefor, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition that contains.delta.-(S-methylisothioureido)-L-norvaline, which selectively inhibits neuronal constitutive nitric oxide synthase (N-cNOS) in preference to endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase (E-cNOS) as indicated by an IC.sub.50 (E-cNOS) to IC.sub.50 (N-cNOS) ratio of at least 30, said pharmaceutical composition further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.